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Sound problems after Windows 10 reinstallation.

Anonymous
2022-09-27T04:25:24+00:00

I have been having sound problems after reinstalling Windows 10 on my desktop. Its a kind of vibration or electric buzz that occurs with some regularity when I stream a video, when I play a dvd, or an audiobook cd. I use add-in speakers but they work fine with my phone so they are not the problem. I don't think it's related to the streaming source because they also occur when I play a cd or dvd.

I am using a Dell Inspiron 3668. It's a 64 bit operating system, with an Intel i3-7100 CPU, and 8gbs of RAM.

Context: I had to reinstall Windows recently because the computer had problems booting. Seems to be solved now. I never got a message explaining the problem. I suspect it had to do with the driver updates. Not sure if that is related to the sound problem.

Any thoughts? Thank you for your help.

Windows for home | Windows 10 | Devices and drivers

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  1. Anonymous
    2022-09-27T05:01:05+00:00

    Hi LFRo. I'm Greg, 10 years awarded Windows MVP, here to help you.g

    Try these fixes for sound buzzing in WIndows 10:

    https://thegeekpage.com/how-to-fix-audio-buzzin...

    https://www.makeuseof.com/windows-fix-buzzing-s...

    https://silicophilic.com/audio-buzzing-in-windo...

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Myt9xyHPyTI

    If none of those work then I'll give you all possible solutions for Sound problems in order of priority, so please try any you've already tried again in order. If you have any problems performing any steps I'll be standing by here to help you.

    1. Update the sound driver from the PC or device maker's Support Downloads webpage for your exact model, Serial Number or Dell Service Tag. Go into Device Manager reached by right clicking the Start button, compare to make sure you also have the latest BIOS, Chipset, Display, Network and all other drivers.

    If necessary try installing the driver in Safe Mode with Networking (so you have internet), or Safe Mode, accessed by one of these methods: https://www.digitalcitizen.life/4-ways-boot-saf...

    Try rolling back the sound drivers Choose Sound controller and other audio devices, then Driver tab, then Roll back if available.

    If no newer sound drivers then uninstall the one presently installed in Device Manager, reached by right clicking the Start Button. Restart PC to reinstall.

    Try other and older drivers for your model Sound controller, too. For example, try the next oldest driver in the model's online Support Downloads list. To try all previous drivers installed on your system, in Device Manager choose Sound controller's Driver tab, then Update Driver, then Browse, then Let Me Pick.

    1. Restore the Windows Audio Service which may have become disabled: https://troubleshooter.xyz/wiki/fix-audio-servi...
    2. Next try these checklists:

    https://support.microsoft.com/en-US/help/402699...

    https://www.howtogeek.com/443702/how-to-fix-sou...

    1. Right click Volume icon in System Tray, choose Sound Settings, from the Output and Input devices dropdown menus, choose then one(s) affected to see if that helps. If not use the Troubleshoot button nearby.
    2. Run the Playing Sound troubleshooter at Start button > Settings>Update & Security>Troubleshoot.
    3. Go over this checklist to make sure the install is set up correctly, optimized for best performance, and any needed repairs get done: http://answers.microsoft.com/en-US/windows/wiki...

    Start with Step 4 to turn off Startup freeloaders which can conflict and cause issues, then Step 7 to check for infection the most thorough way, then step 10 to check for damaged System Files. Then continue with the other steps to go over your install most thoroughly.

    1. If nothing else helps then run a Repair Install by installing the Media Creation Tool and choosing from it to Upgrade Now. This solves many problems and will also bring it up to the latest version which you need anyway and by the most stable method. http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows-10/m...

    Report back results for each step so I know what else to suggest.

    Feel free to ask back any questions. Based on the results you post back I may have other suggestions if necessary.

    ______________________________________________

    Standard Disclaimer: There are links to non-Microsoft websites. The pages appear to be providing accurate, safe information. Watch out for ads on the sites that may advertise products frequently classified as a PUP (Potentially Unwanted Products). Thoroughly research any product advertised on the sites before you decide to download and install it.

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  1. Anonymous
    2022-09-28T01:23:00+00:00

    Thank you so much for your thorough responses. I will try these recommendations and keep you posted.

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  2. Anonymous
    2022-09-27T05:01:29+00:00

    HARDWARE TESTS -

    1. Test the memory using WIndows Memory Diagnostics: https://www.techrepublic.com/article/how-to-det...

    If problems are found then test the RAM overnight to stress it with the best bootable test memtest86, following this guide to test both sticks and slots:

    https://www.tomshardware.com/how-to/how-to-test...

    1. Test the hard drive or SSD with diagnostics:

    https://www.lifewire.com/free-hard-drive-testin...

    https://mashtips.com/ssd-health-test-and-perfor...

    HP and Dell have hardware diagnostics triggered by tapping the ESC or F12 keys respectively as you power on.

    Best is to use the HDD/SSD manufacturer's own if there is one, otherwise use Seatools bootable long test: http://blog.nowherelan.com/2013/04/04/boot-seat...

    Follow this up with a full Disk Check from the Command Prompt in Repair Mode or from bootable media: https://www.groovypost.com/howto/check-hard-dri... if necessary from the Command Prompt at boot: https://www.tenforums.com/tutorials/2294-advanc...

    1. Stress test the rest of your hardware:

    https://techguided.com/best-tools-to-stress-tes...

    If no hardware problems are found then look over this tutorial for a gold standard Clean Install which compiles the best possible Install of Windows which will stay that way as long as you stick with the tools and methods given, has zero reported problems, and is better than any amount of money could buy: http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/wiki...

    The reason I suggest this is that no one who has adopted the install in the above link has ever come back to report further problems I've seen, including another version failure. This is because everything in Windows 10 is dependent upon the quality of the install, especially Version Updates which will choke on lesser quality installs, and there is no possibility of problems if you stick ONLY with the steps, tools and methods in that tutorial.

    It is also one of life's great learning experiences that will permanently make you the master of your PC because you will learn everything that works best and how to keep it that way. ____________________________________________

    Standard Disclaimer: There are links to non-Microsoft websites. The pages appear to be providing accurate, safe information. Watch out for ads on the sites that may advertise products frequently classified as a PUP (Potentially Unwanted Products). Thoroughly research any product advertised on the sites before you decide to download and install it.

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  3. Anonymous
    2022-09-28T03:24:14+00:00

    The sound problem was solved. The fix that worked was "Disable Applications Taking Exclusive Control" on the silicophilic.com website. Thank you so much!

    Looking forward to running the tests. I did the Dell and Windows test over and over during the last two weeks but am curious about the other ones I haven't tried.

    Just to expand a bit on the context, the computer was working perfectly but then one morning it would not go past the Dell logo and the spinning circles. Tried many things over the next couple of weeks including changing the battery. Reinstalled Windows a few times using the Dell recovery tool. What would happen was that the computer would boot properly but when it looked for Windows and Dell updates and tried to reboot it again wouldn't go past the spinning circles. The Windows recovery tool helped because it didn't look for updates automatically when installing Windows. I honestly don't remember what fix I tried then but I have been able to use the computer properly for a few days. I still find it suspect though. I updated a driver last night and again had the spinning wheel situation. This time I was able to repair option in the Windows tool. Anyhoo, I'm curious to see what I get from these tests. Will keep you posted.

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  4. Anonymous
    2022-09-28T01:27:05+00:00

    I'm glad to help. Keep me posted on your progress as I will be here to help until the case is resolved.

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